Epoxide functionalized polymerized crystalline colloidal arrays

We report the development of a novel method for functionalizing polymerized crystalline colloidal arrays (PCCA). This new method enables us to easily incorporate molecular recognition agents into the PCCA to produce chemical sensing materials that report on analyte concentration via diffraction of visible light. We copolymerize glycidyl methacrylate with acrylamide and N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide around crystalline colloidal arrays. The incorporated epoxide groups are available for further PCCA functionalization through reactions with thiol, amine or hydroxyl groups. We fabricated a Pb2+ sensor, which utilizes a crown ether recognition agent, as well as a glucose sensor, which utilizes glucose oxidase.